Step off the beaten track: Events in March

The days are getting longer and the weather’s getting better (I know it’s raining outside right this minute but it’s lovely Spring rain). The best time of the year is now upon us and this means it’s time to get out and do stuff.

There’s plenty of familiar leprechaun shaped options coming up but we’ve gone another direction and put together a few slightly leftfield suggestions that could take you off the beaten track and introduce you to something new.

Here’s our recommendations to some lesser known Festivals and Events around Ireland this March.

FESTIVALS

The 6th annual Mountain to Sea dlr book Festival returns on the 9th of March with an impressive program of events including talking readings and musical events with Michael Parkinson as the headliner, as well as John Boyne, John Irvine, Paula Bewick and many more. Check their website for full listings and events.

Ceilteach is a three day festival celebrating Celtic music, culture and dance. Hosted on the gorgeous island of Inis Mor the event will have a number of events from concerts, celilis, readings and traditional music sessions down the pub! Sounds like the perfect excuse to get away to the islands for a weekend.

It’s pretty shocking how little Irish most of the country knows after 12 odd years of learning it in school. And it’s such a pity, it’s a beautiful and unique language that we should be proud of. So why not take this week (well, it started out as a week but now lasts a forthnight!) to try and throw in the cupla focail into everyday conversation.

Check out snag.ie for events around the country or download their cool app to learn a new Irish phrase each day.

EVENTS

1. The Race, Donegal 4th – 6th March

The Race is a 250 Km gruelling test of endurance. Participants have 24 hours to paddle, cycle and run the course all in aid of a great cause. Get out and give these hearty souls some support as they put their bodies through hell in aid of Gorta-Self help Africa.

Maybe not an event for everyone, in fact, maybe only for the uber fit, but if that is you and you do take part, fair dues and well done!

This year there are three Aware Harbour to Harbour walks in Dublin, Cork and Galway. It’ll be a fun day out all for a great cause and great way to spend your St Patrick’s day with fun food and refreshments along the way! Check out their website for more details on how to get involved.

The Cleasathon showcases the rugged beauty and majesty of the island of Inis Oírr. This year there is three races to choose from, a 5km and a 10km road run as well as a 16km adventure run over a rough terrain of rocks and boulders. Money raised from the event will go towards local community projects and such as cleaning plastic and other marine litter washed up on the island’s shore. A fun day out, beauty scenery and helping clean up the ocean! What more can you want!

Conservation Destination of the Month

The Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, Co Antrim

The Seabird Centre reopens this March 24th after major refurbishments as part of Great Irish Lighthouses. Rathlin is home to the largest seabird colonies in Western Europe and thousands of bird including guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and puffins return here year after year to breed. As part of the centre you will learn about all the different types of birds and get a tour of Ireland’s only ‘upside down’ lighthouse.